Best way to hook up Denafrips

I just reread your post. The USB cables used for audio connections are USB 2.0 A/B cables. This means that have a type A connector (wide rectangular) that plugs into the source (where the signal is coming from) and a type B connector (square shape) that plugs into the device you are connecting to. 

With the Gaia and Terminator+, I got much better results using the i2s connection over an HDMI cable. Even a $12 HDMI cable sounded better than using the USB connection with my AQ Diamond USB (AQ's top of the line USB).

The Gaia and T+ support i2s over either HDMI or RJ45 (standard Ethernet cable). Most user feedback I've read indicates that using HDMI is preferred. 

I am using the USB cable to connect my server to the Gaia. 

Thank you very much

I'm a skeptic as well about cables generally, but 100% believe that some cables sound better than others. The key is to listen to the cables in your own system and see if you hear a difference. I tested out 5 USB cables recently as I'm sorting out my digital front end and one of the cables was a free USB cable from an HP inkjet printer. Because, if "bits-are-bits", ALL cables should sound exactly the same. The other cables were:

• Generic HP printer cable: Free with printer
• Belkin Gold: $15
• Pangea Audio Premier SE: $50
• Shunyata Venom: $100-200
• Phasure Lush: $253

Well, that free HP printer cable sounded like crap. 

• Sound feels shut-in and veiled. Trailing edge of notes have an overhang.
• Treble is a bit harsh
• Bass sounds tubby

And I'm very happily running the Phasure Lush cable. None of the cable sounded the same as another.